Kindiki skips Ruto’s running mate unveiling

Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki on Sunday skipped the highly anticipated unveiling of Kenya Kwanza coalition running mate at Deputy President William Ruto’s Karen residence in Nairobi.

Kindiki was among the outfit’s bigwigs who camped at the venue late into Saturday night ahead of the major announcement which never materialised amid rumours of last-minute jostling over who should deputize Dr. Ruto.

Speculation was high that Prof. Kindiki was one of the most likely candidates to be picked running mate but when Ruto took to the stage on Sunday, it became clear that Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua had made the cut.

By this time, it had been established that Kindiki was not in the venue, in comparison to Gachagua who was flanked by his wife at the unveiling.

DP Ruto, in his speech, nonetheless praised Prof. Kindiki as a seasoned leader and lawyer but did not offer any further explanation on his absence.

“I want to thank my lawyer and friend Abraham Kithure Kindiki who came very far and became the runner up in this contest. As a forthright Kenyan of great standing and lawyer by excellence, he is not here with us now but he brought experience, passion and commitment to this exercise,” Ruto said.

With an illustrious career in law and a gentle demeanor to boot, Kindiki was seen as a suitable diplomat to accompany Ruto, adding to the fact that he is from the vote-rich Central region which presidential hopefuls seek to woo through running mates.

Alongside Kindiki and Gachagua, MPs Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu) and Alice Wahome (Kandara), as well as National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi and Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru were among the candidates considered for the position.

Ruto described Gachagua as "an astute debator, a successful elected politician who is a principled, resilient and fearless fighter for the right cause."

Kenya Kwanza’s arch-rivals, the Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition party, have in the meantime said they will announce flag-bearer Raila Odinga's running mate on Monday, May 16.

Odinga's Presidential Campaign Secretariat spokesperson Prof.Makau Mutua said that the long-awaited decision shall not be made public on Sunday, as earlier expected.

Presidential candidates have until Monday, May 16 to submit the names of their running mates to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).